Holby City actor criticises discontinued BBC series – ‘We were not given substantial storylines’
Holby City's Jimmy Akinbola reveals insights into his stint on the show portraying Dr. Antoine Malick. Acknowledging the cast's camaraderie as akin to a "family," he confesses a desire for more riveting plotlines for his character.
Jimmy Akingbola and Chizzy Akudolu are set to return for another season of “Sorry, I Didn’t Know,” their highly successful panel show that originally gained popularity during Black History Month and has now secured a regular slot on ITV1.
Interestingly, the two actors, who initially rose to fame on Holby City, find themselves fondly reminiscing about their early days on the hospital set.
“We often engage in banter about our medical knowledge,” chuckles Jimmy, known for his role as Antoine Malick in ‘The Tower.’ “Chizzy, who portrayed Mo Effanga, would always outdo me. While I might know my lines, she had an impressive grasp of the medical procedures we were portraying.”
The camaraderie between Akingbola and Akudolu extends beyond their successful panel show, revealing a shared history that traces back to their time on Holby City.
“But being part of a family on the soap was a dream come true for us. The only regret is the lack of substantial storylines, which motivated our desire to collaborate on a project together.”
Following their departure from the soap, Jimmy and Chizzy have taken on hosting duties for “Sorry I Didn’t Know,” where they welcome comedians and celebrities to test their knowledge of Black history. This series features guests such as Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, who, unbeknownst to many, was pregnant during the filming.
“I noticed a change in her appearance, particularly her bum, but I didn’t want to mention anything. Little did I know, she was expecting! It was quite a surprise,” Chizzy reveals.
Jimmy remarks, “She consistently mentioned, ‘I would do it if I’m not doing Strictly,’ so having her this season was a delight.”
Alongside Chizzy as a fellow team captain is another Strictly star, Eddie Kadi, embarking on his second series on the show. “He’s been a king for many years, and it’s great that Strictly is giving him this moment now,” Jimmy expresses. “Anyone can connect with his comedy, and I believe that’s part of his superpower.”
From Henry VIII’s royal trumpeter John Blanke to Marie van Brittan Brown, the African American woman credited with inventing the first home security system, Jimmy and Chizzy consistently find themselves amazed by the often overlooked Black figures featured on the show. “Our programme aims to spotlight individuals we seldom hear about, despite using their innovations every day,” Chizzy notes.
Apart from their involvement in “Sorry I Didn’t Know,” the co-stars express a desire to collaborate on a drama together. Chizzy reflects, “We began considering a project, but unfortunately, it didn’t materialize. It would have been intriguing – we were cast as husband and wife.”
Jimmy chimes in, “There’s a Fleabag-type project that we’re keen on. Hopefully, ITV catches wind of this interview and brings us on board together!”
Catch “Sorry I Didn’t Know” airing on Sunday, 19th November at 11:05 pm on ITV1.
